Bone loss in HIV: a contemporary review

Area of Science:

• Bone metabolism and osteoporosis research
• HIV/AIDS clinical management
• Epidemiology of chronic diseases

Background:

• Antiretroviral therapy (ART) has increased longevity for individuals with HIV infection.
• Aging populations with HIV are experiencing a rise in comorbidities like osteoporosis and fragility fractures.
• Understanding bone loss in HIV is crucial for managing long-term health outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the epidemiology of bone loss in people living with HIV.
• To explore the pathogenesis of bone loss in the context of HIV infection.
• To focus on recent scientific literature concerning HIV and bone health.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of recently published studies.
• Analysis of epidemiological data on bone density and fractures in HIV patients.
• Synthesis of information on the multifactorial causes of bone loss.

Main Results:

• HIV-infected individuals exhibit an elevated risk for low bone mineral density and fractures.
• Bone loss in HIV is attributed to multifactorial causes, including traditional risk factors, ART, HIV viral proteins, and chronic inflammation.
• Interventions such as lifestyle changes, ART modification, and supplementation can mitigate bone loss.

Conclusions:

• Clinicians must recognize the factors contributing to bone loss in people with HIV.
• Identifying high-risk individuals is essential for proactive bone health management.
• Addressing modifiable risk factors can help prevent fractures in this population.